The proposed hunting season…

The proposed hunting season on double-crested cormorants is outrageous - both for its suggestion, and for the additional exemptions suggested.

Firstly, in the proposal details themselves it is outlined that the cormorant has previously been a species of conservation concern, and that the numbers are now stable or declining. In no way should a species that has been, and may well again be at risk ever be submitted to such unsustainable harvesting. There is no scientific evidence that cormorants are devastating fish populations or habitat quality. Without this there is no justification for damaging a native species (and with this it would be questionable).

Additionally, the suggested terms are deplorable. It is suggested that a hunting season be established across both breeding and migration seasons. This endangers virtually all other waterbirds and shorebirds (as well as others) due to the disturbance caused by the hunters, the common misidentifications, and the fact that the proposal also suggests that the birds can be left to spoil. What justification is there to circumvent the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, scientifically robust legislation put in place to conserve our native species? A bag limit of 50/day soon adds up to the estimated population of cormorants in the province, and even if that estimate is low, the option to remove tens of thousands of birds per person for anyone with a small game license is wrong.